On August 18, 2026, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated that an agreement concerning the Strait of Hormuz would help facilitate the resumption of talks between the United States and Iran. According to Qatar, an intermediate bilateral agreement must first be reached between Iran and Oman regarding the strait before broader US-Iran negotiations can move forward.
Shipping through the waterway has dropped sharply following the escalation of the US-Iran conflict, with disputes over safe passage involving both Iran and Gulf states. Qatar has acted as a key mediator during the 2026 conflict, pushing for indirect talks to reopen the strait and avoid further regional escalation.
The ongoing conflict has featured several flashpoints in the area, including an Iranian missile strike on an ADNOC tanker. However, no specific timeline was provided for when an Iran-Oman agreement might be reached or when US-Iran talks might resume.